Multiplex typewriter for technical drawings

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a multiplex typewriter for lettering technical drawings in Standard Technical Style and Sizes as fixed by The National Standards for Lettering Technical Drawings using a new method whereby any &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;National Standard Alphabet and Numerals for Lettering Technical Drawings&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; may be used on typing element faces. The apparatus and method permit lettering drawings by typing, and having the following possibilities: (1) All standard sizes of technical drawings can be accommodated by the machine, (2) A single machine can use as many as nine different standard sizes of given national standard alphabet and numerals. In a particular embodiment several typing keyboards are mounted on a stationary table around a vertically movable and rotatable common platen, this platen sliding over a stationary column, being movable vertically by a group of mechanical means driven by step motor drive, and being rotatable by another group of mechanical means driven by separate step motor drive. These drives are operated by a computer activated by any one of nine program selector devices each actuating selectively a ball type lettering head (in the case of keyboards equipped with such heads), or actuating normally a set of keys (in the case of keyboards equipped with keys).

[ 1 Mar. 4, 1975 United States Patent Ivanov et a1.

MULTIPLEX TYPEWRITER FOR TECHNICAL DRAWINGS 57 ABSTRACT The invention provides a multiplex typewriter for lettering technical drawings in Standard Technical Style and Sizes as fixed by The National Standards for Lettering Technical Drawings using a new method whereby any National Standard Alphabet and Numerals for Lettering Technical Drawings may be J m 6 v 8 31 R48 vX ma s 1 v O 3 t0 mm w mv uS I J3 r 1 FA m N U 27- used on typing element faces. The apparatus and method permit lettering drawings by typing, and hav- Related U.S. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 217,442, Jan. 1972, abandoned.

ing the following possibilities: (1) A11 standard sizes of technical drawings can be accommodated by the machine, (2) A single machine can use as many as nine different standard sizes of given national standard a]- phabet and numerals. In a particular embodiment several typing keyboards are mounted on a stationary [58] Field of Search 197/1 R, 2, 3, 16, 18.

table around a vertically movable and rotatable com mon platen, this platen sliding over a stationary col- [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS umn, being movable vertically by a group of mechani- 197/1 R X 197/65 X 871 Nicholson, Jr......

927 Ryan...................

Becking et a1.

677 Frank et a1.

913 Brennan, Jr. et a1.

13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Primary Examiner-Edgar S. Burr Assistant E.\'aminerE. H. Eickholt MULTIPLEX TYPEWRITER FOR TECHNICAL DRAWINGS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of our application Ser. No. 217,442, filed Jan. 13, 1972 and now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a new form of multiplex typewriter accomplishing a new method for lettering technical drawings by typing, using for the first time the National Standard Alphabets and Numerals for Lettering Technical Drawings on typing element faces. The said typewriter may be of the type employing replaceable fixed ball heads, or keys, cooperating with a rotatably and vertically movable platen.

REVIEW OF THE PRIOR ART The efforts made hitherto to create a machine for lettering drawings have not given positive results, and in all drafting rooms with which we are acquainted the only method employed is manual lettering. Technical students and draftsmen over all the world are keeping manually to their own national standard, often using special templates and guides to improve the lettering.

DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided a multiplex typewriter for technical drawings having a plurality of typing mechanisms, each mechanism comprising one different standard size of given National Standard Alphabet and Numerals for Lettering Technical Drawings on the typing faces of each ball head or set of keys.

Also in accordance with the present invention there is provided a multiplex typewriter for technical drawings comprising a tubular vertical stationary column supported by a column base, a common cylindrical platen mounted on the column for sliding movement longitudinally of its axis and rotatably about the axis, means for moving the platen longitudinally of the axis, means for rotating the platen about the axis, and plurality of typing mechanisms mounted around the common vertical platen on a stationary table, said table supported by a housing connected with columns base.

Further there is provided a multiplex typewriter for technical drawings comprising plurality of typing mechanisms, a cylindrical common platen cooperating with said mechanisms and mounted on a tubular vertical stationary column, having longitudinal and rotative sliding movements about its own axis, first step motor and mechanical means for moving the platen in the first direction in drive mode and step mode variants, second step motor and mechanical means for moving the platen in the second direction also in drive mode and step mode variants, and means for adjusting the extent of movements of the platen upon a single step of each step motor means to change the letter and line spacing corresponding to the selected standard size of given National Standard Alphabet and Numerals for Lettering Technical Drawings.

The original and compact construction ofthe apparatus of this invention allows all National Standard Alphabets and Numerals for Lettering Technical Drawings to be used for the first time on typing element faces, bringing excellent quality, high speed and lower cost, and fully meeting the requirements of microreproduction by providing optically-perfect letter production and spacing. The same typewriter can be manufactured for different countries with only differences in the letters etc. provided on the typing element faces, according to their own language and National Standard Alphabet for Lettering Technical Drawings.

It has been observed that in the case of typing mechanism keyboards equipped with replaceable ball heads, a conventional mechanism of this type can accommodate a range of three different consecutive type sizes. Thus, each of three keyboard mechanisms may be constructed to carry any one of its three different ball type heads. Accordingly, the nine standard sizes that are generally used in lettering drawings may be provided by use of only three different typing mechanisms of the ball head type.

In apparatus according to the invention such ball head mechanisms are fixed against lateral movement and may therefore be termed a fixed head, the drawing being moved rotatably. Preferably, the associated cylindrical platen that supports the drawing is movable vertically over a stationary column and is also rotated to traverse the drawing supported thereby past a fixed typing head, there being preferably three typing mech anisms arrayed around the column and platen, each of said mechanisms being capable of providing three different sizes of type, all together providing for selectability among nine different type sizes.

In the case of keyboards equipped with the older key mechanisms naturally each keyboard is able to type only one standard size of given national standard alpha bet for lettering technical drawings, and the number of the typing mechanisms is larger than with the ball type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows one standard size of one National Standard Alphabet and Numerals for Lettering Technical Drawings";

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a typewriter which is a first embodiment of the invention wherein the typing mechanisms comprise replaceable ball type lettering heads;

FIG. 3 is a partially broken away sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an electrical block diagram of a system for the control of step motor drive mechanisms for the platen of the typewriter of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view ofa typewriter which is a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the typing mechanisms comprise typing keys;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view illustrating a particular position of shiftable keyboard usable in connection with the apparatus of FIG. 5, when in condition for typing small letters; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view illustrating a particular position of the shiftable keyboard shown in FIG. 6, when in condition for typing captial letters.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The typewriter 10 of the invention illustrated by the drawings comprises a base 11 having a vertical tubular column 12 mounted centrally thereon, the column carrying a common cylindrical platen 13 supported radially by sliding flanges 14 and axially be axial berings 15 and 22 and respectively by outer rings 16 and 23. Tubular column 12 has three vertical slots spaced equidistantly at 120 and having extending therethrough two times three tongues 17 and 24 extending radially respectively from two nuts 18 and. to connect the outer rings 16 and 23 with said nuts. The nuts are engaged by a threaded drive shaft 19, which is rotatably driven by a step motor drive device 20 mounted on the upper end 21 of column 12. Accordingly the step motor drive 20 when energized will move the shaft 19 and respectively the nuts 18 and 25, and thereby cause the platen to rise or fall to a desired elevation. The uppermost position of the platen is shown in broken lines in FIG. 3. A cylindrical housing 26 is solidly connected with base 11 of the column and carries a table 27 supporting three keyboards K K and K surrounding the common platen 13. This housing is coaxial with the platen and forms an annular cross-section space between itself and the platen, in which the drawing on the platen is accommodated and preserved from damage when said platen goes down below the level of the keyboards. A step motor drive device 28 mounted on the outer ring 16 by means of a drive gear 29 engaged with internal gear ring 30 fitted on the platen 13, thereby causing said platen to be at a required rotary position about the common vertical axis of column 12, platen 13, housing 26 and screw-threaded shaft 19.

The above described array of typing mechanisms K K and K indicated by the common reference 31, are mounted in a circle around the common platen, one in each 120 segment, and each having a conventional typewriter keyboard 32 and a removable typing head 33 with three separate drive program selectors electrically associated with each keyboard 32 in the manner illustrated by FIG. 4. Thus, an electrical power source 35 is connected via a selected one of three on/off switches 36 to activate the required one of the electri cal typewriter keyboards 32, each switch 36 also connecting through a respective three-program selector switch 34. The on/off switches 36 and the selector switches 34 are connected to a computer 37 by a multiplex cable line, whereby each of the switches 34 is connected independently to the computer. One only of the switches 34 is activated by the operator at any time and is identified as a program selector switch of any convenient well-known mechanical form. The corresponding program provided by the computer 37 causes the horizontal drive unit 38 to count out a sufficient number of pulses to accomplish a predetermined number of steps of motion of horizontal step motor drive 28. As is well known a step motor operates through a predetermined number of degrees of revolution for a predetermined number of pulses of electrical drive energy supplied thereto. It is to be understood that the horizontal drive device 38 provide in a step mode such pulses according to conventional pulse technology in such number as is determined by computer 37 and the selected program therein upon actuation of a selector key 34 of the particular keyboard and also the capital/small letter size slector 32 of the keyboard. The platen is thus rotated the amount necessary for accurate spacing corresponding to the particular standard size alphabet that has been selected. The drive device may be operated in a drive mode to quickly bring the desired spot for lettering into required position.

The vertical step motor drive 20 is activated by a vertical drive generator 39 controlled by computer 37 ac- 5 cording to a preselected program. Thus in the step mode the vertical space key of the selected electric typewriter keyboard will activate the computer through the selected program for the particular ball type head 33 used in' association with the particular keyboard to activate the vertical drive 39 and step motor drive 20 to adjust the height of the platen with a programmed line spacing conforming to the selected alphabet size. This drive device will also provide a drive mode for quick positioning as with the horizontal drive device. The chain line 40 connecting the switches 36 is introduced to indicate that such switches are so connected that only one may be activated or closed at any one time. Likewise of any group of three switches 34, only one may be selected at any one time. The keyboards K, to K, represent nine different standard sizes alphabet and numerals of given National Standard Alphabet for Lettering Technical Drawings.

In FIG. 5 is represented a plan view of the typewriter of the invention using key typing mechanisms, particularly showing a set of six keyboards equipped with typing keys. In this embodiment each keyboard is equipped completely to type one standard size alphabet and numerals of a given National Standard for Lettering Technical Drawings.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a shiftable keyboard for use in connection with the apparatus of FIG. 5 and the manner in which it can be adjusted to type small letters (FIG. 6) and alternatively to type larger letters (FIG. 7).

Thus, the front edge of the keyboard 42 is supported by a pivot pin 45, while the rear edge is supported by an eccentric roller, the keyboard controlling typing keys 43, each of which carries a respective small letter typeface at lower part 44 and a corresponding larger letter typeface at upper part 46, these parts being inclined at a small angle A relative to one another from a flat plane.

. FIG. 6 illustrates the normal position for the keyboard wherein vthe part 44 of the key is in contact with the platen surface, while the part 46 is clear of the platen surface, so that only a small letter can be typed. If large letters are to be typed the roller 41 is rotated, whereupon the whole keyboard is tilted about the pivot pin 45 and the part 46 of each key is now able to contact the platen surface, while the part 44 is clear of the platen surface, so that only the large letter can be typed.

In use the typewriter of the invention is activated to move the platen 13 sufficinetly above the level of the keyboard 31 to accommodate the height of the drawing to be fastened thereon, for example by means of adhesive tape. The operator then places the selected typing head 33 on the typing mechanism 31, at which he is seated on a chair, and presses the appropriate program selector button 34 for such head. Thereupon when-the on/off switch 36 of the selected typing mechanism is turned to the on position the operator causes the machine to rotate the platen and the drawing thereon to the desired location relative to the selected typing head 33, indexing the same to the desired location by activating the space bar or space keys of the typing mechanism. The head 33 is fixed in its lateral motion, being capable of moving only in a plane extending radially from the common central axis 47 of the platen 13. The vertical space key of the typing mechanism will then cause the platen to rise or fall to the position desired by the operator, at which point he may begin typing. With each typed impression the computer causes the platen 13 to rotate an increment corresponding to the desired letter spacing determined by the program selector 34 and the predetermined program activated thereby in the computer 37.

We claim:

1. A multiplex typewriter for technical drawings having typing element faces of each typing head or set of typing keys provided with one standard size letters and numerals in standard technical style as fixed by the National Standards for Lettering Technical Drawings, said letters and numerals representing elements for lettering said drawings, a tubular vertical stationary column supported by a column base, a common cylindrical platen mounted on the column for longitudinal and rotative sliding movements in drive mode and step mode variants about its own axis, operator-controlled verticalmovement step motor means mounted on the upper end of the tubular column, mechanical means operatively connecting the step motor to the platen to move it longitudinally of the said axis, operator-controlled rotating-movement step motor means operatively connected with the platen for rotating it about the axis, and a plurality of typing mechanisms mounted around the common cylindrical platen on a stationary table, said table being supported by a housing connected with the base of the column.

2. The invention as claimed in 1, wherein the said mechanical means connecting the vertical-movement step motor means comprises a threaded drive shaft extending along the said axis, two nuts engaged with the drive shaft, three tongues extending from each nut and extending the movement of the respective nut from inside to outside of the column through three vertical slots on said column, two axial bearings and two respective outer rings, and two sliding flanges to support the platen radially, each bearing, ring and flange coopcrating together to connect the respective nut to the platen for movement of the platen along the axis upon rotation of the shaft.

3. The invention as claimed in claim 1, and including an operator-controlled rotating-movement step motor mounted on the lower one of the said two outer rings, and mechanical means connecting the last'mentioned step motor to the platen to rotate it about the said axis.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lastmentioned mechanical means comprises and internal gear ring mounted on the said platen, and a pinion gear engaged with the said ring and driven by the said rotatingmovement step motor.

5. The invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein each typing mechanism is of replaceable ball type and each accommodates three consecutive standard sizes of given National Standard Alphabet and Numerals.

6. The invention as claimed in claim 5, wherein each typewriter comprises three separate typing mechanisms cooperating with a common platen to accommodate in a single machine nine different standard sizes of given National Standard Alphabet and Numerals.

7. The invention as claimed in claim 1, and including pulse circuit means feeding pulses to the verticalmovement step motor means and means for adjusting the extent of vertical movement of the platen upon a single operation of the vertical-movement step motor means to change the line spacing of typing by the typing mechanism.

8. The invention as claimed in claim 3, and including pulse circuit means feeding pulses to the rotatingmovement step motor means and means for adjusting the extent of movement of the platen upon a single operation of the rotating-movement step motor means to change the letter spacing of typing by the typing mechanism.

9. The invention as claimed in claim 1, and including first and second step motor means, respective mechanical means connecting the step motor means to the platen to move it respectively in vertical and rotative directions, pulse circuit means feeding pulses to the step motor means, and means for adjusting the extent of movements of the platen upon a single operation of each step motor means to change the corresponding letter and line spacing of typing by the selected typing mechanism.

10. A multiplex typewriter for technical drawings having:

typing element faces of each typing head or set of typing keys provided with one standard size letters and numerals in standard technical style as fixed by the National Standards for Lettering Technical Drawings, said letters and numerals representing elements for lettering said drawings,

a common cylindrical platen cooperating with typing mechanisms mounted on a tubular vertical stationary column for longitudinal and rotative sliding movements in drive mode and step mode variants about its own axis, said platen supported radially by two sliding flanges,

a threaded drive shaft extending along said axis, two

nuts engaged with said shaft, three tongues extending from each nut and extending the movement of the nuts along said shaft from inside to outside of the column through three vertical slots on said column spaced equidistantly at two axial bearings, and two outer rings cooperating together to move the platen longitudinally,

an internal gear ring mounted on said platen and a pinion gear engaged with said ring cooperating together to rotate the platen, and

pulse circuit means feeding pulses to step motor means and means for adjusting the extent of movements of the platen upon a single operation of the step motor means to change the corresponding letter and line spacing of typing by a selected typing mechanism.

11. A multiplex typewriter for technical drawings having typing element faces of each typing head or set of typing keys provided with one standard size letters and numerals in standard technical style as fixed by the National Standards for Lettering Technical Drawings, said letters and numerals representing elements for lettering said drawings, a tubular vertical stationary column supported by a column base, mechanical means including a drive shaft mounted within the column, a common cylindrical platen mounted on the column coaxially therewith for sliding movement longitudinally of the coaxial axis and rotating movement about the axis, operator-controlled step motor means operatively connected with the platen via the drive shaft for moving the platen longitudinally of the axis, operatoreach typing mechanism is of replaceable ball type and each accomodates three consecutive standard sizes of given National Standard Alphabet and Numerals.

13. The invention as claimed in claim 12, wherein each typewriter comprises three separate typing mechanisms cooperating with a common platen to accommodate in a single mashine nine differnt standard sizes of given National Standard Alphabet and Numerals. 

1. A multiplex typewriter for tEchnical drawings having typing element faces of each typing head or set of typing keys provided with one standard size letters and numerals in standard technical style as fixed by the National Standards for Lettering Technical Drawings, said letters and numerals representing elements for lettering said drawings, a tubular vertical stationary column supported by a column base, a common cylindrical platen mounted on the column for longitudinal and rotative sliding movements in drive mode and step mode variants about its own axis, operatorcontrolled vertical-movement step motor means mounted on the upper end of the tubular column, mechanical means operatively connecting the step motor to the platen to move it longitudinally of the said axis, operator-controlled rotating-movement step motor means operatively connected with the platen for rotating it about the axis, and a plurality of typing mechanisms mounted around the common cylindrical platen on a stationary table, said table being supported by a housing connected with the base of the column.
 2. The invention as claimed in 1, wherein the said mechanical means connecting the vertical-movement step motor means comprises a threaded drive shaft extending along the said axis, two nuts engaged with the drive shaft, three tongues extending from each nut and extending the movement of the respective nut from inside to outside of the column through three vertical slots on said column, two axial bearings and two respective outer rings, and two sliding flanges to support the platen radially, each bearing, ring and flange cooperating together to connect the respective nut to the platen for movement of the platen along the axis upon rotation of the shaft.
 3. The invention as claimed in claim 1, and including an operator-controlled rotating-movement step motor mounted on the lower one of the said two outer rings, and mechanical means connecting the last-mentioned step motor to the platen to rotate it about the said axis.
 4. The invention as claimed in claim 3, wherein the last-mentioned mechanical means comprises and internal gear ring mounted on the said platen, and a pinion gear engaged with the said ring and driven by the said rotating-movement step motor.
 5. The invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein each typing mechanism is of replaceable ball type and each accommodates three consecutive standard sizes of given National Standard Alphabet and Numerals.
 6. The invention as claimed in claim 5, wherein each typewriter comprises three separate typing mechanisms cooperating with a common platen to accommodate in a single machine nine different standard sizes of given National Standard Alphabet and Numerals.
 7. The invention as claimed in claim 1, and including pulse circuit means feeding pulses to the vertical-movement step motor means and means for adjusting the extent of vertical movement of the platen upon a single operation of the vertical-movement step motor means to change the line spacing of typing by the typing mechanism.
 8. The invention as claimed in claim 3, and including pulse circuit means feeding pulses to the rotating-movement step motor means and means for adjusting the extent of movement of the platen upon a single operation of the rotating-movement step motor means to change the letter spacing of typing by the typing mechanism.
 9. The invention as claimed in claim 1, and including first and second step motor means, respective mechanical means connecting the step motor means to the platen to move it respectively in vertical and rotative directions, pulse circuit means feeding pulses to the step motor means, and means for adjusting the extent of movements of the platen upon a single operation of each step motor means to change the corresponding letter and line spacing of typing by the selected typing mechanism.
 10. A multiplex typewriter for technical drawings having: typing element faces of each typing head or set of typing keys provided with one standard size letTers and numerals in standard technical style as fixed by the National Standards for Lettering Technical Drawings, said letters and numerals representing elements for lettering said drawings, a common cylindrical platen cooperating with typing mechanisms mounted on a tubular vertical stationary column for longitudinal and rotative sliding movements in drive mode and step mode variants about its own axis, said platen supported radially by two sliding flanges, a threaded drive shaft extending along said axis, two nuts engaged with said shaft, three tongues extending from each nut and extending the movement of the nuts along said shaft from inside to outside of the column through three vertical slots on said column spaced equidistantly at 120*, two axial bearings, and two outer rings cooperating together to move the platen longitudinally, an internal gear ring mounted on said platen and a pinion gear engaged with said ring cooperating together to rotate the platen, and pulse circuit means feeding pulses to step motor means and means for adjusting the extent of movements of the platen upon a single operation of the step motor means to change the corresponding letter and line spacing of typing by a selected typing mechanism.
 11. A multiplex typewriter for technical drawings having typing element faces of each typing head or set of typing keys provided with one standard size letters and numerals in standard technical style as fixed by the National Standards for Lettering Technical Drawings, said letters and numerals representing elements for lettering said drawings, a tubular vertical stationary column supported by a column base, mechanical means including a drive shaft mounted within the column, a common cylindrical platen mounted on the column coaxially therewith for sliding movement longitudinally of the coaxial axis and rotating movement about the axis, operator-controlled step motor means operatively connected with the platen via the drive shaft for moving the platen longitudinally of the axis, operator-controlled step motor means operatively connected with the platen for rotating it about the axis, said tubular column having three vertical slots spaced equidistantly at 120* through which the mechanical means extends the movement of the drive shaft to the platen, and a plurality of typing mechanisms mounted around the common cylindrical platen on a stationary table, said table being supported by a housing connected with the base of the column.
 12. The invention as claimed in claim 11, wherein each typing mechanism is of replaceable ball type and each accomodates three consecutive standard sizes of given National Standard Alphabet and Numerals.
 13. The invention as claimed in claim 12, wherein each typewriter comprises three separate typing mechanisms cooperating with a common platen to accommodate in a single mashine nine differnt standard sizes of given National Standard Alphabet and numerals. 